Tourism and gastronomy: reflections on Immaterial food heritage in Minas, Brazil

Abstract

The rise of a new category of cultural heritage, the immaterial patrimony, changed the understanding and aroused reflections on what can be considered heritage. In this context, traditional knowledge became part of this new category and gained notoriety as a tourist attraction. In Minas Gerais, the knowledge of how to do the Queijo Minas Artesanal (artisanal cheese from the state of Minas Gerais) is recognized as patrimony by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage, known in Brazil as IPHAN, this recognition has helped the preservation of traditional techniques, in the valorization of products and producers, and in the updating of the laws that govern these products and in the adequacy of the producers. Based on the tourism regionalization policy, through the Official Tourist Circuits of the State of Minas Gerais, and the greater focus on the sustainable development of the traditional knowledge communities, tourism started to approach traditional cuisine as a product of great importance and value. The dynamic characteristic of these heritage and food cultures is a great challenge in their appropriation as a tourism product. Thus, the role of regional tourism circuits is to enable tourists to experience local culture and gastronomy in a sustainable way, minimizing the impacts of tourism on traditional knowledge.